As a pet owner, you know that pets are creatures of habit. But when those habits change, it's not necessarily a natural progression of age. Here are some signs that your pet needs medical attention.
Incessant Grooming
Pets like cats and dogs are pretty good at grooming themselves. Except for the occasional necessary doggy bath, these domesticated pets keep themselves clean by licking.
However, licking is also a self-soothing technique that pets use when they are in pain. If you start to notice that your dog or cat seems to always be licking themselves—even choosing licking over other activities like eating or going for a walk—it could be a sign that they are experiencing pain that you're not aware of. Another sign of excess licking to be aware of is a patch of skin or worn down fur in one specific area. If your pet seems to be engaging in incessant grooming, it's worth it to take them to the veterinarian for a health checkup.
Whining, Crying or Squeaking
Pets often find a way to communicate with their owners when they are hungry, thirsty, or need to go out. These barks, growls and meows typically become familiar to the owner, and over time, specific sounds are interpreted as being related to certain needs. If your pet has a problem, though, they may start to vocalize with strange or unusual sounds that are new to the owner. While some of these might sound cute, such as squeaking, the underlying issue might be a little more ominous.
If your pet has started to make a new sound—perhaps whining, crying or squeaking—particularly when they make a movement such as getting up from a nap, lying down, squatting to relieve themselves or bending down to eat, it could be due to pain they are experiencing. The problem could be related to joint discomfort, a hidden wound or injury, or a muscular condition. Your family veterinarian or local animal hospital should be consulted if you've noticed unfamiliar vocalizations from your pet.
Misbehavior
If you've had a pet for a number of years, you start to become reliant on their good behavior. For instance, you know you can trust your older cat to not scratch the furniture because you've trained him long ago not to do that. If your pet suddenly starts misbehaving, however, it could be a sign that something troubling is going on.
If your pet has started evacuating their bowels in the house, scratching where they shouldn't, or knocking over their food bowls, there could be an underlying physical disorder causing the misbehavior. Consider taking the pet to the animal hospital to see if there is a problem with their motor or muscle control, an infected claw, or some other issue.
These common signs could be indicators that your pet needs the attention of a medical professional. If you notice one or more of these behaviors, consult with an animal hospital near you or find more info here.
Share9 January 2017
Do you own a small animal like a mouse, hamster or even a lizard? Did you know that even these tiny creatures can benefit from veterinary care? My name is Emma, and I own a number of small pets. I have found out through my experiences that veterinary care can give my little pets a longer, healthier life. This blog will cover what a small animal needs from regular medical care as well as special situations that require emergency veterinary intervention. Tiny pets deserve a healthy life, too. Learn how to do all your can for the littlest animals in your care.
